Talk:abstraction

Uncited quotation
abstraction has the following quotation:
 * Abstraction is no positive act: it is simply the negative of attention.

It attributes that quote to "Sir W. Hamilton", which I assume was meant to be Sir William Hamilton, 9th Baronet. Unfortunately, I can only locate that quotation in Wiktionary and in places that appear to have copied from Wiktionary. Does anyone know the publication with that quotation? Rodasmith 03:49, 12 January 2006 (UTC)


 * The 1913 Webster's dictionary lists the quote under the entry for "abstraction." It attributes to "Sir W. Hamilton" and (per usual) indicates no source. --96.232.95.243 18:40, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Found. See abstraction

Some computing references
See: Talk:abstract (One of these days I might get around to it.)  --kop 03:30, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

Computing
(computing) Any generalization technique that ignores or hides details to capture some kind of commonality between different instances for the purpose of controlling the intellectual complexity of engineered systems, particularly software systems.

?? What on earth does that mean ?? Think this definition needs to be clarified and shortened, as it is far too complex as it stands. Jubileeclipman 18:33, 21 December 2008 (UTC)